Work by a Cuban artist inspired by a West Yorkshire town features in a new exhibition taking place as part of an ongoing urban renewal initiative.
Carlos Garaicoa was invited to make a work of art for Castleford by Arts Council England, Yorkshire as part of The Castleford Project, a long term regeneration plan begun by Channel 4 and Wakefield Council and broadcast as Kevin McCloud and the Big Town Plan last summer.
Carlos Garaicoa’s artistic practice considers architecture as the biographer of a place. His work The Observatory: a Project for Castleford is presented by the Castleford Heritage Trust and runs at Bridge Arts, Sagar Street, Castleford until 27 March.
The exhibition, which was opened by Culture Minister Barbara Follet on 16 January, presents three beautiful models of a conceptual building for the town, alongside pop-up books from the artist’s collection.
The models are sculptures in their own right, but also suggest a real possibility for a cultural centre in Castleford. Garaicoa’s building incorporates the town’s Roman ruins, an observatory, and a meeting space with a spectacular floor representing the town at night. He will be presenting one of the models to the town as a gift.
Andy Carver, Executive Director, Arts Council England, Yorkshire, said: ‘As a partner in The Castleford Project, we want to ensure the arts are at the heart of the town’s regeneration. We are excited to be supporting both international artists like Carlos Garaicoa, and local artists, in bringing great art to everyone in Castleford. The arts and artists help communities aspire to the best quality of life possible.’
'There has been huge enthusiasm for the exhibition,’ says Karen Durham, Regional Partnerships Officer. ‘Yvette Cooper MP joined the Culture Minister, the people of Castleford and three grandchildren of Henry Moore at the launch, which was packed with local people and artists, architects and urbanists from around the region.
‘The artist says the passion of Castleford people inspired his vision for the town’ adds Karen. ‘The enthusiasm for culture of the people of Castleford was also much in evidence when local volunteers transformed a semi-derelict shop into a stunning new exhibition space within a week, to host the exhibition. Together with the exhibition, it is a testament to the passion, determination and energy of the people of Castleford.’
Carlos’s exhibition was funded by Arts Council England, Yorkshire and realised in collaboration with Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Castleford Heritage Trust and York St John University.
Carlos’s work is one of several Arts Council commissions, including Cratehouse for Castleford by Winter/Hörbelt, and a series for the town’s Heritage Trails. Castleford has strong links with the arts and is the home town of sculptor Henry Moore.
Carlos Garaicoa was born in Havana in 1967 and is a self-taught artist. He has exhibited internationally, including at the 2005 Venice Biennale and the Sao Paolo Biennale in 1998 and 2004. He was awarded the first Contemporary Art Prize Foundation Pierre Prince de Monaco in 2005.
As part of The Castleford Project, the last five years have seen a series of projects across the town including the design of a new town square, the creation of several new facilities for local children and the design and build of a major new footbridge.
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